Sausage Flower Gall Wasp
Melikaiella congregata
This record describes Melikaiella congregata (species). Recorded family: Cynipidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larvae induce sausage-like catkin galls on Quercus agrifolia (coast live oak) in the spring. Gall is known to produce honeydew
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Cynipoidea
- Family
- Cynipidae (Gall Wasps)
- Tribe
- Cynipini
- Genus
- Melikaiella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
California
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Melikaiella congregata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sausage Flower Gall Wasp
What is Sausage Flower Gall Wasp?
Sausage Flower Gall Wasp (Melikaiella congregata) is a species in the family Cynipidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Sausage Flower Gall Wasp?
Larvae induce sausage-like catkin galls on Quercus agrifolia (coast live oak) in the spring.
Where is Sausage Flower Gall Wasp found?
Range: California